Posted By Ian Waldram I presume you've actually been asked to draw up something which includes the "Company Rules" in relation to driving cars, not just a one-line policy statement. If I'm right, I strongly suggest that you start with a formal risk assessment (eg using the HSE 5-steps model), completed by a representative group of those involved. If you do this you'll find that all the relevant 'rules' will come up as potential controls in response to the identified hazards. What is 'reasonable' in response to those hazards can be discussed and (hopefully!) agreed by the group, rather than being 'imposed' by you, the person who drafts the policy. For example, you will clearly expect people to obey the Highway Code, as a basic control in response to the general 'hazards of the road'. You will also identify hazards relating to not having a valid licence, lack of maintenance, excessive hours, lack of familiarity with a hired vehicle, etc. I think you'll find that this appraoch, which clearly links 'the controls/rules' with specific hazards, will make the resultant Policy easily accepted by drivers, though possibly some managers will have problems with some new controls with which they will be involved - like excessive hours limits, monitoring their people's compliance from time to time, etc.

Posted By Mark Stirling I have just finished reading a book "Road Craft" this is a book that the Police ues as part of there training. It has more information about road saftey and the law than any other book. It can be found at any good book shop or just ask at the police station near you. I hope this can help you. regards, Mark Stirling.

Posted By Merv Newman Dawn, if you need any more advice, talk to Du Pont head office at stevenage - they won the safe driver of the year award a couple of times - until their safety coordinator Ron Stevenson was killed in a car accident. Merv Newman

Posted By Frank Cooper Dawn, You have obviously had a lot of good advice so far regarding a policy for company car drivers. However, policies are fine but they do need supporting with sound advice and even a little bribery.It is no use just laying down a set of rules for people to comply with, you need to explain why they need to comply and what the benefits are! For example, Vauxhall Fleet Marketing used to publish a useful guide for drivers called Drive for Safety which contained a lot of sound information. Do not forget the lady driver either. Again Vauxhall used to prouce a publication called Women at the Wheel aimed at lady drivers and the Suzy Lamplugh trust also provides advice on this subject. As to the bribery bit, find out if your firm will sponsor people to take the Advanced Driving Test - it all helps with road safety. Have a look at the RoSPA site for additional info. Hope this helps, Frank Cooper

Posted By Dawn Ingham Thanks for your comments Bryan (Owen). In discussions with various people, there seems to be a school of thought which says that waterproof trousers should also be provided to our employees out on the road, to go with the waterproof jacket, to prevent any 'flu or similar (or worse?) occurring as a result of a drenching. I am not so sure about this, although our employees do get called out to inspect flood damage. Anyone with any clearer views?